Jim Henderson: This is for the Saints fan in all of us

Published: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 7:23 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 7:23 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS -- Four-and-a-half years ago, the world looked on in horror as the ravaged Superdome became the symbol of our destruction. They saw it Sunday night as the symbol of our resurrection.

Restored, rejuvenated, rejoiceful as our city largely is - as our spirits forevermore will be.

Coming to New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina as Drew Brees, Sean Payton, and others did required a leap of faith. For those who never left it was faith they never lost and that has since been rewarded.

It took special people to live here and endure what we have endured. It took special fans to be Saints fans for the last 43 years to endure what you have endured. And now you have been rewarded for doing and being both.

The feel-good story of the year in the NFL feels better than good. It feels wonderful. It typifies and symbolizes the struggles of the common man to rise up in the face of uncommon challenges.

How wonderful that in looking back on the most glorious moments in Saints history it is the likes of Brian Milne, Steve Gleason, Curtis Deloach, and Garrett Hartley who did so. NFL fans may not remember any of them years from now.

But we will never forget them.

In them we saw ourselves and were greatly pleased with the reflection.

Each and every one of you who are saints fans share in this special moment in time. Be you near or far, black or white, young or old, rich or poor, man or woman.

<object height="273" width="446"><param name="movie" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" value="http://www.wwltv.com/v/?i=82632162" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.wwltv.com/v/?i=82632162" AllowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" height="273" wmode="transparent" width="446"></embed></object><p>NEW ORLEANS -- Four-and-a-half years ago, the world looked on in horror as the ravaged Superdome became the symbol of our destruction. They saw it Sunday night as the symbol of our resurrection.</p><p> </p><p>Restored, rejuvenated, rejoiceful as our city largely is - as our spirits forevermore will be.</p><p>Coming to New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina as Drew Brees, Sean Payton, and others did required a leap of faith. For those who never left it was faith they never lost and that has since been rewarded.</p><p>It took special people to live here and endure what we have endured. It took special fans to be Saints fans for the last 43 years to endure what you have endured. And now you have been rewarded for doing and being both.</p><p>The feel-good story of the year in the NFL feels better than good. It feels wonderful. It typifies and symbolizes the struggles of the common man to rise up in the face of uncommon challenges.</p><p>How wonderful that in looking back on the most glorious moments in Saints history it is the likes of Brian Milne, Steve Gleason, Curtis Deloach, and Garrett Hartley who did so. NFL fans may not remember any of them years from now.</p><p>But we will never forget them.</p><p>In them we saw ourselves and were greatly pleased with the reflection.</p><p>Each and every one of you who are saints fans share in this special moment in time. Be you near or far, black or white, young or old, rich or poor, man or woman.</p><p>Newly-converted or life-long die-hard.</p><p>All one. Saints fans all over the world this night. All one.</p>